Remembering Emir Abdelkader: A tale of heroism and tolerance
In the spring of , a special envoy for Abraham Lincoln, the newly elected president of the United States, came to Damascus. He was carrying two revolvers as a present to the guest of honour—Emir Abdelkader, the Algerian religious and military leader—who had protected the lives of thousands of Christians during bloody sectarian violence in
Lincoln's gift wasn't the only one presented to Abdelkader that day. Other diplomats had preceded Lincoln to the mansion, perched behind the city’s historic Umayyad Mosque. A representative of Queen Victoria presented him with a priceless sword, and an envoy of the pope decorated him with the Vatican medal.
The honours he received continued well after his death. Many years after his passing, a city in Clayton County, Iowa, was named after him. A grant in Emir Abdelkader’s name was also launched at the University of Virginia, and his bust was erected at the United Nations, making him a timeless emblem of peace and co-existence.
He passed away on 26 May , making this year the st anniversary of his death. Al Majalla now commemorates the life and times of the important historical f
Emir Abdelkader facts for kids
For the song, see Abdel Kader (song). For the Palestinian nationalist, see Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni.
Quick facts for kids Emir Abdelkader El Djezaïri | |
|---|---|
Photographed by Étienne Carjat in | |
| Native name | عبد القادر ابن محي الدين |
| Birth name | Abdelkader ibn Muhieddine al-Hasani- |
| Born | ()6 September Guetna, Regency of Algiers |
| Died | 26 May () (aged 74) Damascus, Ottoman Syria |
| Buried | El Alia Cemetery |
| Rank | Emir |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Macta Battle of Sig Battle of Sidi-Brahim Battle of Oued Aslaf Battle of Agueddin |
| Awards | Legion of Honour (Grand Cross) Order of Pius IX First Class of the Order of the Medjidie Order of the Redeemer (Grand Cross) |
Abdelkader ibn Muhieddine (6 September – 26 May ; Arabic: عبد القادر ابن محي الدينʿAbd al-Qādir ibn Muḥy al-dīn), known as the Emir Abdelkader or Abdelkader El Hassani El Djazairi, was an Algerian religious and military leader who led a struggle against the French colonial invasion of Algiers in the early 19th century. As an Islamic scholar and Sufi who unexpectedly found himself leading a military campaign, he built up a colle
The Emir lived out his days in Damascus, teaching, studying and engaging within its diverse intellectual community.
When anti-Christian riots broke out in Damascus in , the Emir took thousands of Christians under his protection, including French, American and Russian diplomats. When the rioters clamored at his door, the Emir brandished his sword, while invoking Islamic law regarding the protection of innocents.
His moral courage earned him global acclaim from the likes of President Buchanan, Queen Victoria, Pope Pius IX, and Tsar Alexander II. The Emir later wrote, “What I did was merely obedience to our sacred law and to the precepts of humanity&#; When we think about how rare are the real champions of truth, and when one sees ignorant people who imagine Islamism is about severity, hardness, excess and barbarism, it is time to repeat these words: ‘Patience is godliness, trust in God.’”
In , based on faulty information, The New York Times prematurely eulogied the Emir: &#;The nobility of his character, no less than the brilliancy of his exploits in the field, long ago won for him the admiration of the world&#; Abd-el-kader deserves to be ranked among the foremost of the few
Who is Emir Abd el-kader?
Emir Abd el-Kader, born Abd el-Kader ben Muhieddine al-Hasani al-Jazairi on September 6, , in El Guettana, is a historical figure known for being an emir and a military leader (1) who fought against French colonial efforts in Algeria. He is recognized for his role as a religious leader and military strategist, gaining fame for his resistance to French colonization until his eventual surrender in (2) He died on May 26, , in Damascus, in the Ottoman Empire. (3)
An emblematic figure of Algeria, Emir Abd el-Kader fought for 15 years against the French occupation of this Maghreb country. Emir Abd el-Kader was born at the beginning of the 19th century in a zaouïa, a spiritual center, where knowledge and Muslim culture are cultivated. At the time, Algeria bordered the Sherifian Morocco and the Ottoman Empire. The country was under pressure from the military superiority of the West, which had completed its industrial revolution. (4)
Emir Abd el-Kader&#;s father fought France in to defend a Muslim land. At that time, there was no nationalist spirit. In , he handed over to his son.
The Emir organized an embryonic state by levying taxes and enforcing laws
Biographies you may also like
Shigeru mizuki biography graphic organizer He must all be imprisoned!, the eight-volume "Showa: A History of Japan (Mizuki Shigeru's Modern History of Japan)", and a gruesomely straightforward series of depictions of .
Donquez quez woods biography sampler Donquez Woods Age & Birthday. Donquez Woods is best known as Rapper who has born on September 04, in Georgia. Currently, Donquez Woods is 33 years, 5 months and 29 Missing: sampler.
Fathan rizvi biography of rorys baby Gilmore Girls staff finally reveals who dad of Rorys baby is More than six years after "Gilmore Girls" fans learned that Rory Gilmore was pregnant with her first child, we are finally getting .
David mitchell stephen fry biography Stephen Fry's Biography, Writer, actor, comedian, doer of good works, excellent good friend to the famous and not, Fry lives in his London SW1 flat and his Norfolk house when not Missing: david mitchell.
Interlude victor manuelle biography Víctor Manuel Ruiz, known professionally as Víctor Manuelle, is a successful Latin Grammy nominated American-born Puerto Rican salsa singer, songwriter, and improvisational son .
Canadas walk of fame inductees Canada’s Walk of Fame currently has over inductions, all of whom have stars on the sidewalks of Toronto’s Entertainment District. TIFF turns 50 years-old this year and will .
Father brian morrison biography sample A short bio is a concise and informative summary of your professional background, accomplishments, and personal interests. It’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to Missing: brian morrison.
Sharl de gol biography of martin A French general and politician (), Charles de Gaulle was the first person to advocate the need for France to have armoured military vehicles. A leader of the French resistance Missing: sharl de gol.